Wishmakers, Local Companies & Our Forgotten Warriors Team to Help Disabled Vet
During his second tour of duty in Iraq, Army Sgt. Ben Wisenbaugh was injured when an improvised explosive device exploded near his caravan. The 33-year-old Wyoming, Mich. man is now retired, suffers from permanent hearing and memory loss and is in constant back pain.
Wisenbaugh relies on his disability benefits to support his wife and three children. Through Our Forgotten Warriors, a non-profit organization that offers financial support and other assistance to injured American soldiers, the roof of his mobile home was replaced earlier this year,but not before water seeped into the walls, leaving severe mold damage. He could not afford the necessary remediation and repair. That's when more help came in for the ailing soldier.
Angie’s List Wishmakers, a program that works to grant home improvement wishes to those in need, was contacted to assist with the major repairs on Wisenbaugh’s home.
Wilderness Electric, brought in by Our Forgotten Warriors to oversee the project, along with highly rated Grand Rapids-area companies on Angie’s List, Mr. Handyman of Greater Grand Rapids and Bruce Jennings Builder in Belmont, are part of the team effort to replace the ruined interior walls and floors.
“The Angie’s List Wishmakers program relies on support from highly rated local contractors and we’re thrilled to see these companies step up to help a man who sacrificed so much to help keep America safe,” said Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks. “We’re grateful Our Forgotten Warriors thought to include us in this project and I know Ben and his family will never forget their generosity.”
The project will get underway on Friday September 9. Members of the media are encouraged to cover the event.
The Wishmakers program has been around since 2004 and has granted 35 wishes to date.
Previous Wishmakers projects include:
- Repairs air conditioning for Dallas-area family who had gone with out cool air for more than two years.
- Installing a new concrete walkway and steps for a Pittsburgh family whose daughter is stricken with Crohn’s disease.
- Providing a plumbing work and a new bathtub surround for a Milwaukee woman who suffers from multiple health issues.
- Giving a wounded soldier’s mother in Atlanta, Georgia, a new kitchen sink and dishwasher.
- Providing a new roof for a Shaker Heights, Ohio family who lost their three young daughters in a house fire.
- Helping a Chicago family move into a new house when their home was foreclosed after the death of their 11-year old daughter.
- Painting the home of a Carmel, Ind. family who faced financially difficulties due to medical ailments and the loss of a job.
- Building a room addition on to the home of an Indianapolis family whose little boy has the “Bubble Boy” disease and has to live in sterile isolation.
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